The Molyko Days

It started in 2021, inside one of those crowded courses at UB. The air was thick with the smell fresh-student stress. A lecturer had thrown a particularly wicked question at the class, and George stood up. He wasn’t just fine; he had that "stuffon" aura that made everyone turn. He was a transfer student from a private uni in Yde, and he spoke with a calm confidence that Bih found irritatingly attractive.

Bih didn’t let him breathe. After class, she caught up with him near UB entrance. "Stuffon, so you cam here for show we say you know book nor?" she teased.

George was caught off guard, but he liked her energy. Within a week, Bih had become his unofficial guide to Buea (like say Buea need guide, no be one street street down - shemark) - showing him the best spots and which Cités to avoid. George was brilliant, the kind of guy who aimed for a First Class without ever mentioning it. Bih started attending his private tutorials, well 'for the grades', but really just to be near him.

Their relationship became official one evening while walking back from a late-night session in Molyko. There had been an incident earlier that evening a Mile 16 with Guns, she was afraid but was caught off guard - "how thing them fit di strong di shake, di boy di talk na love". Bih felt safe with him though. Her previous 'situationship' with a guy in Limbe had been a disaster - he was pushy and lacked respect. George was the opposite; he was so careful with her that he’d apologize if their hands even brushed accidentally.

When they finally became intimate, it was like a movie. The chemistry was 100 sur 100. It wasn’t just the act; it was the way they were in sync. They were addicted. They’d be sitting in a taxi going down to school, and the mere touch of their shoulders would start a fire.

But outside the bedroom, the cracks began to show. George was hyper-focused on his future - scholarships to Germany, IELTS exams and those type of things. Bih wanted the 'soft girl'. she wanted spontaneous trips to the beach in Limbe, birthday surprises at Mountain Hotel, and romantic dinners.

"Let’s just stay in and listen watch this movie" or "Let's go for GDE community,” George would say when Bih wanted a night out or day out to Limbe. She’d agree, but she was filing those disappointments away in her mind.

The end came a week before their first anniversary. Bih had gone all out. she spent the whole day preparing a massive pot of Eru and Gari. George’s absolute favorite. She bought scented candles from a China Mall the last time she was in Dla.

At 7:00 PM, George called. "Bih, I’m so sorry. There’s an emergency virtual seminar for my Master’s application. I can’t make it.”

Bih sat there in the candlelight, looking at the a big pot of Eru. It wasn’t just about the food; it was the realization that in George’s world of 'growth', she was at the bottom. They broke up three days later.

A year passed. Bih moved to Douala for a job at a logistics company in Akwa - importantion business.. George was in Douala for his passport - the queue in Yde was mad long.

One rainy Tuesday, they bumped into each other near the Santa Lucia, Ssadi. They decided to wait for the rain to pass under those windy umbrellas beside the shawarma joint. George offered to drop her off at her place. The rain stopped very late in to the night. "Where do you live?, let me drop you off", "It's not safe" he said. She argued it wasn't necessary so they settled halfway - he was going to pay for her Yango.

They started talking not as lovers, but as 'old friends.' But by that weekend, there was something more. "You sell joggings right? I need two pairs for my trip to yde nextweek".

"hope you remember my size oh". Bih was a little mad at the fact that this boy thinks he is the only thing on her mind. Even more so she was mad that she remembers. "Small 32'". she sighed as she replied. "I do oh - now weh you be customer, i no fit forget". she was scheduled to deliver the sunday evening.

She got there a little over 6pm because to find his entrance at IPPB was a bit difficult and the Yango left her a few blocks infront of KMC. By the time he was done measuring the rain had started. "Do you want to stay till rain stops?", he knew he shouldn't be asking her but he did anyway.

That must have been the longest time she took to answer any question in her life. "I don't mind I'll wait".

That night, they realized that while their lives had moved in different directions, their bodies hadn’t forgotten a thing. It was strong than it had ever been in Buea. The constant stares as they sat there watching the movie non of them remember till today.

Now, they are in a "situation" but George is still that guy - obsessed with his next big move, emotionally distant when he’s stressed. Bih still needs more than he can give. But they couldn't stop.

Bih had tried dating other men in Douala, but every time she’s with someone else, she’s comparing them to George. George had a "talking stage" with a girl in Yaoundé, but none of that matter at that point. They couldn't hold it any further, then she 'stayed the night'.

She kept thinking, "It’s i'm addicted or something," Bih said. "As a couple, we’re a 5. We don’t work. But this ...uhmm". she couldn't even finish the voice note she was recording to Any the next morning. "Make man boy no ever know my body so. nomio".